The breeder you're about to choose might be a monster

If I hear another person tell me they're going out to Lancaster, PA to Amish country in

order to get a puppy I'm going to scream! Right now I'm watching a Golden Retriever puppy fight for its life. Rather than having fun with his new family, he's languishing in intensive care on an IV. I'm praying he makes it. Gosh, I'm so enraged right now that I'm compelled to write an umpteenth piece on puppy mills with the hopes that people will finally listen.

There are thousands of puppy mills around the country preying upon nice people looking to find a beautiful puppy. Too often their dreams are torn apart by bringing home pups with behavioral and serious medical problems. That's because owners are not getting their pups from reputable breeders. They're getting them from filthy environments without any regard to the mental or physical health of the animals they produce. The worst offenders are located in Pennsylvania; Missouri, Michigan, Ohio and down south.

If you're considering a breeder, here are some red flags that indicate the breeder you're about to choose is a horrendous monster:

They ship puppies

They boast that their dogs come with a health guarantee

You can purchase their pups on the Internet

The puppy is bred on an Amish farm in Lancaster, PA

The breeder specializes in designer breeds

Dogs are not raised inside their home

They make you wait as they retrieve the puppy for you

Dazzle owners with ribbons or claims that parents were show dogs

You can't return the dog

They sell siblings to one owner

Claim their dogs come from police or military dog bloodlines

AKC paperwork doesn't mean anything

Their dogs come from Europe or Russia

They provide you with a very large family tree

They don't need to meet you first

When choosing a breeder do your research. Ask your veterinarian for references. Interview potential breeders intensively by using the checklist above to weed out the monsters. Responsible breeders will be thrilled to answer dozens of questions because it shows you care. Those who lose patience or don't have the time to speak with you are not the people you want to do business with.